Boundary and Finite Elements for 2D Soil-Structure Interaction Problems

The problem of ground-borne vibrations in buildings at low audio frequencies is often associated with railway excitations. In order to analyse such problems, a 2D numerical Boundary Element Model, eventually coupled to a more classical Finite Element Model, has been developed and used to study the interaction between foundations and grounds. Several aspects of the problem are considered: the type of ground; the type and position of the excitation; the length of the foundation; the type and size of the superstructure; the isolation obtained through the use of damping layers.